SMU's Inaugural Class of Doctor of Nurse Practioners (DNP) Graduates

Happy National Nurses Week!

A "National Nurse Week" was first observed in 1954, based on a bill introduced in Congress by Rep. Frances Payne Bolton of Ohio, an advocate for nursing and public health. The year marked the 100 th anniversary of nursing profession pioneer Florence Nightingale's mission to treat wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) established May 12, Nightingale's birthday, as an annual "International Nurse Day" in 1974. But it wasn't until the early 1990s, based on an American Nurses Association Board of Directors action, that recognition of nurses' contributions to community and national health was expanded to a week-long event each year: May 6-12. (source: ANA - National Nurses Association)

It is fitting, then, that Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is seeing the first class of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students graduate on the heels of National Nurses Week.

"The SMU School of Nursing is very pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of our first DNP graduates," said Arlene Sargent, Associate Dean of Nursing. "This achievement reflects the School of Nursing’s response to the numerous national organizations that have indicated new levels of nursing education are necessary to meet the increasing complexity of the health care system."

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program opened at Samuel Merritt University in the Spring of 2011.The vision and curriculum of the DNP program--to empower and challenge the next generation of leaders from nursing to break through old expectations, limitations, constraints, and barriers. The program was started with the knowledge that producing such medical professions is better for nursing in general, and is transformational for the US health system. Read more about the DNP program.

"The DNP degree empowers students to become leaders of change in transforming health care delivery by providing the best possible clinical care to individuals, families and communities," added Sargent. "The School of Nursing celebrates this achievement and looks forward to the continuing success of our DNP program and graduates."

Erin Matsuda and Amrit Sandhu will be presenting their posters at a national conference--Rising Stars of Scholarship and Research Poster Program at Sigma Theta Tau International's 42nd Biennial Convention. The convention will be held November 16-20, 2013, in Indianapolis, Indiana.